Orthodox monastery hidden in the rocks
WONDERS OF GREECE
Nafplio. Dimitsana. Olympia. Nafpaktos. Delphi.
Plunge into the Peloponnese! Lonely Planet named the Peloponnese peninsula the #1 European destination in 2016.
What is an ideal vacation? Illuminating antiquities. Interesting cultural exchanges with hospitable locals. Novel and delicious tastes to your palate. Heavenly relaxation sites.You can enjoy all these features on the Wonders of Greece tour.
Antiquities: Nothing short of legendary. The impeccable acoustics of the 3rd century BC Epidaurus Theatre allows someone in the last tier to hear a whisper from the stage far below. Olympia’s Temple of Zeus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Before visiting Delphi’s Temple of Apollo, stop for a drink of water at the sacred springs.
Culture: Loads of it. An ancient monastery built into the side of a cliff. A museum that reenacts the making of gunpowder which fueled the Greek Revolution. Artisan shops specializing in worry beads or goat bells or handmade canes.
Culinary: The variety of Greek cuisine will startle you. Hearty and healthy appetizers at each meal. Fresh fish. Local meats. Regional sweets like baklava. Wine tastings at Peloponnese wineries. Unique spirits like rose petal liqueur and tentura that tastes like Christmas.
We can customize this itinerary to suit your travel profile!
Itinerary Summary & Driving Mileage
- Day 1 Nafplio – Athens to Nafplio 137 km, 85 miles
- Day 2 Napflio – Epidavros Theatre 56 km, 34.80 miles (roundtrip)
- Day 3 Dimitsana – Nafplio to Dimitsana 110 km, 69 miles
- Day 4 Dimitsana – Lousios Gorge 23 km, 14 miles (roundtrip)
- Day 5 Olympia – Dimitsana to Olympia 80 km, 49 miles
- Day 6 Nafpaktos – Olympia to Nafpaktos 142 km, 88 miles
- Day 7 Delphi – Nafpaktos to Delphi 97 km, 60 miles
- Day 8 Depart – Delphi to Athens 183 km, 113 miles
Day 1: Nafplio
En route, cross the Corinth Canal, and marvel at its steep depths, especially if a boat happens to be passing. En route to Nafplio, a professinal guide makes your first World Heritage Site come alive: ancient Mycenae, home of King Agamemnon who launched the Trojan War.
Day 2: Nafplio
Nafplio was modern Greece’s first capital and remains the prettiest city in the Peloponnese. Today head east to tour World Heritage Site #2, the 3rd century BC Epidavros Theatre where the professional guide gives you the deep background of Epidavros’ major healing role in the ancient world.
Day 3: Dimitsana
You’ll cherish your stay in this charming mountain village selling traditional products such as rose petal liqueur. Visit the Prodomos Monastery built on the side of a cliff. Walk to the other side of the Lousios River to visit the “Secret School.”
Day 4: Dimitsana
Visit the live action pre-industrial water power museum telling the story of the local region’s contribution to the Greek Revolution. Visit Vytina village, known for its fresh cheeses and homemade jams.
Day 5: Olympia
Home of the original Olympic Games, ancient Olympia is World Heritage Site #3 and deservedly so. Just walking through the portal to the stadium gives one goose bumps. Your professional guide takes you to the grounds and the Olympia Museum with its impressive Hermes statue.
Day 6: Nafpaktos
Stroll up to the Venetian castle whose walls run all the way to the lovely little port. The Ottomans had a toehold here too, evident by the remains of a hamman and mosque. The seaside town is adorable and inviting for those wanting an off-the-beaten track experience.
Day 7: Delphi
The ancient Greeks regarded Delphi as the center of the world for here at the foot of Mt. Parnassos in the serenity of the mountains the oracles prophesized for rulers and commoners alike. A professional guide walks you through World Heritage Site #4 and explains the fine friezes and wall inscriptions.
Day 8: Departure
Athens and Athens Airport are roughly two and one half hours drive from Delphi.
TOUR DURATION 7 nights, 8 days, departure on morning of Day 8
START & END POINTS
Start: The tour starts in Athens on the morning of Day 1 when you are either given the rental vehicle for a self-drive tour, or if you opt for a driver, he picks you up at your hotel.
End: The tour ends on the morning of Day 8 where your destination is either Athens or Athens Airport. For self-drive you can drop the car off in either place. If you opt for a driver, he will take you to either destination.
DRIVER-GUIDE VERSUS SELF-DRIVE
On your exciting Greece vacation, if you want to fully focus on the scenery, never get lost, avoid using quality holiday time to study maps, risk reading road signs in Greek script when English signs occasionally are missing and prefer being taken straight to each destination without the stress of driving in a foreign country, we recommend you opt for a company driver-guide.
Our driver-guides put your safety first. They are amiable, reliable, convenient, and totally helpful in translations, luggage, hotel intermediary and just a general overall trouble shooter to ensure that everything runs smoothly and all you do is relax and enjoy the tour. They are there when you need them and linger in the background when your party seeks quality time alone.
The self-drive option is less costly. Another important factor for self-drivers is the freedom and adventure to get around on your own in a foreign country. If you enjoy studying maps and orienting and navigating routes, opt for self-drive. You would also prefer self-drive if you simply love to drive!
SELF-DRIVE LOGISTICS
We arrange for your vehicle with a rental car company we patronize. We forward your credit card to the rental company for security purposes. You sign the rental car contract not for the basic rental cost but for liability purposes in the event of accidents or damages. The fee for the rental car is included in your tour cost.
The rental car agent can meet you with the vehicle either at your central Athens hotel or Athens Airport. For return, you can either return to central Athens or the Airport. If the vehicle drop-off is different from pick-up point, an additional fee applies.
To drive in Greece, you must have an international driver’s permit. For Americans, an AAA branch can issue a permit upon presentation of a valid driver’s license and two passport photos. After filling out an application, within 15-20 minutes for a cost of $15 you will have your permit. If you are not able to go to an AAA office, the permit can be obtained by mail.
BOOKING AGREEMENT Participants are required to sign our company Booking Agreement as a condition of the tour.
WAIVER Participants are required to sign our company Waiver as a condition of the tour
COST PER PERSON
| Participants | Driver-Guide | Self-Drive |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 3500 euros per person | 2100 euros per person |
| 3-4 | 2485 euros per person | 1790 euros per person |
| 5-6 | 2140 euros per person | 1750 euros per person |
| 7-8 | 1980 euros per person | 1680 euros per person |
| Single Supplement | 500 euros | 500 euros |
Tour cost is based on double occupancy.
Children under 12 enjoy a 20% discount.
For currency exchange rates, click here.
INCLUSIONS
| Driver-Guide Inclusions | Self-Drive Inclusions |
|---|---|
| 7 nights accommodations in 3-4 star hotels – see Accommodations tab | 7 nights accommodations in 3-4 star hotels – see Accommodations tab |
| Daily breakfast at each hotel |
Daily breakfast at each hotel |
| Driver-Guide and Vehicle – see details below | Vehicle akin to 4 Door Nissan Note or Nissan Prima Star mini-van for 5-8 persons, manual steering |
| Airport transfers | GPS for automobiles |
| Licensed guides at Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Dimitsana Water Power Museum | Licensed guides at Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi |
| Entry fees at Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Dimitsana Water Power Museum | Entry fees at Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi |
| Wine tasting in Napflio | Wine tasting in Napflio |
| Guided hike in Lousios Gorge | Mobile phone with 10 euros card |
| Maps of the region | Maps of the region |
| Trip packet with useful information: what to see and do in each region, recommended tavernas, packing tips, phone numbers, etc. | Trip packet with useful information: what to see and do in each region, recommended tavernas, packing tips, phone numbers, etc. |
| Gratuities, tips, VAT | Gratuities, tips, VAT |
EXCLUSIONS
| Driver-Guide Exclusions | Self-Drive Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Greece | Airfare to/from Greece |
| Meals except breakfast | Meals except breakfast |
| Travel Insurance – see Extras tab | Travel Insurance – see Extras tab |
| Vehicle gas and tolls | |
| Automatic steering (extra cost) | |
| hiking guide |
VEHICLE WITH DRIVER-GUIDE
Guests on Driver-Guide tours are transported in a mini-van akin to a Nissan Prima Star with seating for up to eight passengers. For more than eight participants see Groups tab. Our company driver-guides are focused on your safety, your comfort, your pleasure, your convenience. They work a basic eight hour day and are not needed at night because almost all eating choices are within walking distance. Driver-guides assist with your luggage, interface with the hotels, help with translations, lead you on walks or hikes, introduce you to all activities, and in general they are all around trouble shooters. They take care of all their own meals. It is in your discretion if you wish the driver-guide to join your party at dinner but he pays for his own meal.
Travel Insurance For U.S. citizens, we are official agents of Travel Guard travel insurance and can book your trip insurance or provide you a policy quote.
Airport Transfer For Self-Drive participants, opt for a transfer in our company vehicle from Athens Airport to your hotel. Driver waits for you no matter if your flight is late and takes you directly to your accommodations. 170 euros per group for up to 8 passengers
Athens hotel We can book your pre- and post-tour accommodations in Athens with a choice of fine hotels we patronize in the Plaka or Psirri neighborhood.
Enhance your Self-Drive tour with these additional activities which we arrange for you with our local collaborators.
Lousios Gorge Guided Hike near Dimitsana to the amazing Prodromos Monastery clinging to a cliff. The hike continues on a path crossing the Lousios River to the ruins of the “Hidden School” and Philosophos Monastery. 4 hours 190 euros per group. Cost includes hiking guide and picnic lunch.
Rafting on the Lousios Gorge on your second day in Dimitsana. Mostly serene, the Lousios Gorge also has some rapids. A very nature and tranquil experience that ends at a waterfall. Child friendly. 90 euros per person. Cost includes guide, wet suit, lunch.
An indicative hotel for the Wonders of Greece tour is Arxontiko-Pepos hotel in Nafpaktos, Central Greece.
We select the accommodations based on quality, comfort, cleanliness, hospitality, location and charm. Most of the hotels on this tour are family owned and operated.
Hotels are included in the tour cost based on double occupancy. A single room entails an additional cost. Standard double rooms are provided but upgrade options are available.
All hotels are dependent on availability. In the event of no occupancy, we patronize comparable accommodations in the same location.
Request Links to Accommodations for Wonders of Greece
Click map to open in Google Maps
This tour is also available for groups of more than eight persons. You can take the tour with the itinerary as listed or we can customize the tour’s destinations and activities to suit your party.
A group of eight participants travel in a company vehicle with staff driver who also acts as your guide. A group of 10-16 participants travel in either two company vehicles with staff driver/guides or one mini-coach. Groups larger than 16 participants travel in coaches or mini-coaches, led by a company tour leader who handles all logistics.
We offer innovative tours to large groups attending a congress, conference or corporate event.
See more information on the Groups page.
Contact us directly for price quotes and itineraries for your party’s special stay in Greece.
Walks & Hikes
Culinary & Wine
History & Culture
Health & Wellness
